JANE Hutt AM, the Welsh Government’s Finance and Government Business Minister, announced today (15th December) that Aberystwyth University will be the first multi-million pound project to receive the green light through the new £2 billion EU funding programmes 2014-2020.

The project at the Gogerddan Campus, with an estimated value of more than £35m, will see the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility to attract research funding so that companies and researchers can undertake collaborative research projects to boost the bio-economy. The research is expected to generate innovative new products, services and spin-out companies in sustainable food, health, biotechnology and renewable energy sectors.

Gogerddan

Vice-Chancellor Professor April McMahon said;

“We are grateful for the substantial contribution of EU funds that, together with considerable support from BBSRC, and the University, will see the realisation of our ambitious plans for the Innovation and Enterprise Campus at Gogerddan.

“I am confident that the development will ensure that the University continues to deliver research with impact, provide a platform for working alongside industry in developing solutions for global problems, and bring much needed jobs and growth to West Wales.”

The Finance Minister visited the University’s Gogerddan Campus to announce £20m of EU investment through the European Regional Development Fund to help develop the Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AIEC).

Jane Hutt AM stated;

“I am delighted to announce this EU investment for Aberystwyth University, which marks a significant milestone being the first scheme to be awarded EU funds from the new EU programmes 2014-2020. These programmes will greatly benefit Wales, helping us to continue to achieve our goals of building a thriving and prosperous economy. We will utilise EU Funds to drive research and innovation, boost businesses, increase renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as support infrastructure, skills and help people into work.

“This first EU investment will help build a world-class facility to attract private and competitive research funding so that Wales can lead the way in developing new cutting edge technologies, products and services in the biosciences sector, which is vital for increasing jobs and growth in the knowledge economy of our nation.”

The AIEC project will work closely with IBERS where research is already underway to tackle global challenges such as food security, bioenergy and sustainability, and the impact of climate change.

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